American Neutrality in WWI
Although the United States was only involved in World War I for 19 months, it still had substantial effects on the United States. In 1914, the population was mostly rural and a large percentage were immigrants. This led to a very mixed public opinion on the war. That year, president Woodrow Wilson gave a speech that declared that the United States would remain neutral in World War I.
“I venture, therefore, my fellow countrymen, to speak a solemn word of warning to you against that deepest, most subtle, most essential breach of neutrality which may spring out of partisanship, out of passionately taking sides. The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action, must put a curb upon our sentiments, as well as upon every transaction that might be construed as a preference of one party to the struggle before another.” - Woodrow Wilson August 19, 1914 |
Most Americans agreed with Wilson, however, the United States actively contributed to the war through supplies and aid. Historically, the United States had not been involved in any foreign wars aside from the Spanish-American War (1898). Additionally, America only had an army of around 200,00, which was seen as not enough for war. Although neutral, the United States government would lend over $2 billion to the allies, but only $27 million to the Central Powers.
In February 1915, Germany declared warfare on all ships which entered the British War zone. As a result, Germany sunk the William Frye, which was an American ship carrying supplies to England. Following this, the Lusitania, a 1,959 passenger ship, was torpedoed and 1,198 passengers died, including 128 Americans. In May 1916, Wilson passed the National Defense Act which doubled the army and navy. Germany was forced to stop their submarine warfare but resumed it in 1917 in hopes of gaining an advantage. In late March, Germany sunk four additional American merchant ships. Wilson remained neutral but was prepared if intervention was required.
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“It would mean we should lose our heads and stop weighing right and wrong...once lead people into this war and they'll forget there ever was such a thing as tolerance. To fight you must be brutal and ruthless, and the spirit of ruthless brutality will enter into the very fiber of our national life...if there is any alternative, for God's sake let's take it!”
- Woodrow Wilson March 19, 1917
- Woodrow Wilson March 19, 1917
In April 1917, Wilson asked congress to declare war on Germany. Congress backed him and the period of American neutrality had ended. In the end, more than 2 million soldiers served in World War I and 50,000 had been killed.
Sources
“President Wilson's Declaration of Neutrality.” President Wilson's Declaration of Neutrality - World War I Document Archive, wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/President_Wilson's_Declaration_of_Neutrality.
Glass, Andrew, et al. “U.S. Proclaims Neutrality in World War I, August 4, 1914.” POLITICO, 4 Aug. 2009, www.politico.com/story/2009/08/us-proclaims-neutrality-in-world-war-i-august-4-1914-025751.
Hicks, Walter Edmund. “A Definition of Public Opinion.” World War I and American Public Opinion, 1914-1917, pp. 1–13, http://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2982&context=etd.
([email protected]), John Simkin. “Armies 1914.” Spartacus Educational, Spartacus Educational, spartacus-educational.com/FWWarmies1914.htm.
Glass, Andrew, et al. “U.S. Proclaims Neutrality in World War I, August 4, 1914.” POLITICO, 4 Aug. 2009, www.politico.com/story/2009/08/us-proclaims-neutrality-in-world-war-i-august-4-1914-025751.
Hicks, Walter Edmund. “A Definition of Public Opinion.” World War I and American Public Opinion, 1914-1917, pp. 1–13, http://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2982&context=etd.
([email protected]), John Simkin. “Armies 1914.” Spartacus Educational, Spartacus Educational, spartacus-educational.com/FWWarmies1914.htm.